Joana Gyan Cudjoe, through the Joana Gyan Foundation and in collaboration with the KN Foundation, Professional Footballers Association of Ghana and the Ghana Football Association, has led a major humanitarian outreach to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison to support and encourage inmates.
The outreach, which took place on Thursday, May 21, 2026, brought together former Black Stars legends, football administrators, musicians, business personalities and media personalities. The delegation, numbering between 150 and 170 people, departed Accra at exactly 8:00 a.m. for what organizers described as a mission of hope, compassion, unity and humanity.
Speaking during the event and later in an emotional reflection, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe disclosed that the outreach was one of the most touching and life-changing experiences she has ever had. According to her, it was her first time entering a prison yard, an experience that left her emotional throughout the day as she witnessed the pain, regret and struggles of many inmates.
She explained that her difficult upbringing inspired her passion for supporting vulnerable people in society. She noted that while growing up, she experienced hardship and often wished for support from others which never came. This, she said, motivated her to dedicate her life to helping people who lack opportunities, guidance and support.
Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe stated that the Joana Gyan Foundation has consistently focused on supporting people with genuine talents, educational needs, mental health challenges and entrepreneurial dreams. She added that many people in prison are not necessarily hardened criminals but individuals who ended up behind bars due to poverty, lack of legal representation, anger, emotional decisions, misunderstandings and difficult life circumstances.
According to the Member of Parliament, the outreach was not organized for publicity, politics, football or entertainment, but rather to remind inmates that they are still human beings who deserve love, compassion, dignity and another chance in life. She said many inmates became emotional, prayed and expressed appreciation to the delegation for showing them kindness and humanity.
The event featured donations including jerseys and footballs for prison blocks and prison officers’ teams, tracksuits for inmate leaders, bags of rice, fish, drinking water and undisclosed cash support for humanitarian purposes.
Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe further revealed that the foundation is prepared to support inmates with genuine legal cases by connecting them with lawyers and other professionals who can assist them. She stressed the importance of emotional intelligence and urged Ghanaian youth never to take their freedom for granted.
“Control your anger, control your emotions, control your ego, avoid violence and avoid decisions that can destroy your future because prison is not a joke and freedom is a blessing,” she advised.
The Commander in charge of Nsawam Medium Security Prison and all regional prisons, DDP Thomas Siesu, expressed profound gratitude to Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe and all partnering organizations for their generous support. He appealed to individuals and institutions to continue supporting inmates with any little assistance they can provide.
DDP Thomas Siesu also thanked the KN Foundation, Professional Footballers Association of Ghana, Ghana Football Association, musicians, former Ghana national football team legends and all partners who contributed to the success of the outreach.
Special recognition was given to former GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi for his leadership and coordination role, as well as current GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku for his support and presence during the event. Football legends including Abedi Ayew Pele and Samuel Osei Kuffour also participated in the outreach alongside Ghanaian entertainers such as Dr Cryme and Patapaa.
The delegation also paid a courtesy call on traditional leaders at the Nsawam Palace where they received a warm welcome and support from chiefs and dignitaries.
Quoting Matthew 25:36 which says, “I was in prison and you visited me,” Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe emphasized that every soul matters and that society must continue to show compassion, forgiveness and humanity to people in difficult situations.
